Balsamic Glaze (Balsamic Reduction)
on Apr 19, 2021, Updated Aug 21, 2023
Make this easy DIY Balsamic Glaze (Balsamic Reduction) at home with just 2 ingredients in 20 minutes. Drizzle it over salads, grills, or just about anything; it will surely perk up the taste (vegan, gluten-free).
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About Balsamic Glaze
Balsamic Glaze (Balsamic Reduction) is nothing but reduced syrupy balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is cooked along with brown sugar until a syrupy mixture is formed.
Just 2 ingredients and 20 minutes are all you need to make this delicious condiment, which is super versatile and can be used in many ways.
The balsamic glaze has an intensely sweet, tangy flavor and a deep red color, making it a flavorful topping to add to many dishes. If your taste buds like the pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor, this balsamic reduction sauce is a must-have accompaniment to drizzle on vegetables, salad, pasta, fish, and poultry.
This syrupy glaze can enrich any dish from ordinary to extraordinary with its perfectly balanced sweet, tangy flavor.
The homemade balsamic glaze recipe is also free of artificial sweeteners, stabilizers, and preservatives.
The recipe is vegan and gluten-free and can be easily doubled or tripled. Since it keeps well for a long time, you can make a large batch and keep using it.
Try my Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe too.
Ingredients
Balsamic Vinegar – Use any moderately priced balsamic vinegar to make the reduction. A $3-$5 bottle should be good enough. You can find it at any grocery store nearby or order it online.
Sugar – Although balsamic vinegar reduction can be made with only vinegar, I like the hint of sweetness that a little brown sugar adds to it. You can also go for other sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, etc.
How To Make Balsamic Glaze
Add 2 cups of balsamic vinegar and ½ cup brown sugar to a light-colored, heavy-bottomed pan.
I am asking you to use a light-colored pan so that you can notice the changes in the vinegar easily.
Note – You can choose to skip the sugar and make the reduction with only the vinegar.
Heat the mixture on medium-high heat and bring it to a gentle boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture is reduced to half. When the glaze is ready, it will become glossy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. The glaze should be pourable, just like honey. The mixture will take 15-20 minutes to cook to the right consistency.
Once it has reached the right consistency, remove the pan from heat and let the glaze cool completely.
Transfer to a glass bottle and refrigerate for up to a month.
Note – It is important to note that the glaze continues to thicken while it cools.
Frequently Asked Questions
The consistency of the balsamic glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon but yet pourable, similar to honey. Note that it also thickens while it cools.
Buying expensive vinegar is unnecessary, as moderately priced vinegar works just fine.
When you reduce balsamic vinegar, you evaporate the water and concentrate the sugars.
Balsamic vinegar is naturally sweet and becomes even sweeter as it cooks into a glaze.
Although most of the recipes ask for incorporating sweeteners like brown sugar, you can add maple syrup or honey if you prefer, taking the healthy route.
You can skip adding the sugar and reduce the vinegar to make a sugar-free balsamic glaze.
If your balsamic reduction has become thick, warm it slightly over low heat or stir in a little water to thin it out. But if you burn it down, you cannot save the reduction.
Usage Ideas
The plus point of balsamic glaze is that you can top it on anything and make the dish irresistible. It is pretty intense in flavor, so start adding slowly. This glaze can be used as follows.
It can be drizzled on all salads, imparting a sharp, tangy flavor. My favorite salads to drizzle this delicious glaze are caprese salad, Strawberry Salad, and Watermelon Feta Salad.
Drizzle this unique topping over pizza for a delicious taste.
Drizzle over Bruschetta, Sandwiches, or Open toast. My favorite is sourdough avocado toast topped with burrata cheese or fresh mozzarella cheese.
Try topping bruschetta chicken or baked chicken with balsamic reduction. It also goes well with fish, pork chops, tenderloin, and steak.
Adding this glaze imparts zestiness to otherwise insipid vegetables. Drizzle it over Spicy Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli, or Air Fryer Zucchini.
Use it over roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, asparagus, or mushrooms and perk up their taste.
Drizzle this tangy condiment over fresh-cut fruits like fresh strawberries, mangoes, peaches, etc., over grilled fruits like Baked Peaches or Spiced Fruit Bake, vanilla ice cream, and aged cheeses like cheddar cheese, gouda cheese or soft cheese like goat cheese, feta cheese, etc.
Storage Suggestions
The balsamic glaze keeps well in a cool, dry place in an airtight container for up to a month at room temperature. Make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight.
It can be stored in an airtight container or a clean glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. Make sure to let it come to room temperature before using it.
If you want to store it for an extended period, you can freeze it in a freezer-safe container. It will last for up to a year in the freezer. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before using it.
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Best Balsamic Glaze Recipe (Balsamic Reduction)
Instructions
- Add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a light-colored heavy-bottomed pan. I am asking you to use a light-colored pan so that you will be able to notice the changes in the vinegar easily.
- Heat the mixture on medium-high heat and bring it to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture is reduced to half. When the glaze is ready, it will become glossy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. The glaze should be pourable, just like honey. It will take 15-20 minutes for the mixture to cook to the right consistency.
- Once it has reached the right consistency, remove the pan from heat and let the glaze cool completely.
- Transfer it in a glass bottle and refrigerate for up to a month.
Does leftover glaze need to be refrigerated?
Yes, you can keep it for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
Love adding balsamic glaze to salad! This looks yummm! Thank you sharing such a wonderful recipe.
Thanks. It’s a great addition to the salads.